New risk category defined for dangerous lung and heart condition | Moves in Medicine

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. (WPVI) — Blood clots are always cause for concern.

When clots develop in the arteries of the lungs, they can lead to a dangerous condition called CTEPH.

Now, a Philadelphia hospital has discovered that some women face a higher risk.

Early last year, Maurice Clark felt something was amiss.

“Fatigue and erratic breathing whenever I did something that was physically challenging,” Clark recalls.

Clark passed it off as getting older, till his son noticed.

“Dad, we’re doing simple things together and your breathing doesn’t sound right,” his son told him.

A series of tests showed clots in Clark’s lung arteries and heart itself.

Dr. Anjali Vaidya of Temple Health says it was CTEPH: Chronic Thrombo-Embolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

“Folks have had prior blood clots or pulmonary embolisms in their lungs that have not completely resolved,” she explains, adding, “It’s generally underrecognized.”

Clark’s first and only signs were labored breathing and fatigue.

But there are other potential symptoms.

“Sometimes chest discomfort, or passing out, or feeling lightheaded or dizzy with exercise,” she says.

Leg or ankle swelling can also be a sign.

Obesity, smoking, prolonged bed rest and past blood clots are well-known as CTEPH risks, but Temple has identified a new one: pelvic vein obstruction.

“Like women that have large uterine fibroids that are compressing some of those veins in the pelvis,” Dr Vaidya notes.

And estrogen-based treatments for fibroids can add to the clotting risk.

Treatment at a center with strong CTEPH experience is a must.

Medications and lifestyle changes can help, however, surgery to remove the clots is the most effective method.

“We have over a 96% success rate in treatment for the surgery,” she says.

Clark says surgery with Dr. Yoshiya Toyoda at Temple has him back on track.

“Two days in ICU and five days in the hospital, and I was released,” Clark says, delighted with the quick results from his operation in December 2024.

Afterward, he gradually built up his strength by walking three times a day, as his doctors recommended.

“I’m ready to take on Mike Tyson as we speak. I am really in good health. I am attitudinally highly optimistic and physically really extraordinarily healthy.” Clark now says with a smile.

He now advises everyone to pay attention to your health, and don’t assume new issues are due to aging. Don’t be afraid to ask younger family members if they notice changes, and be open to whatever diagnostic tests are needed.